SouperBowl of Caring (January)

SBC Mission Statement: Using the energy of the Super Bowl to mobilize youth in a united national effort to care for people in their local communities who are hungry and those in need.

Vision Statement: Transform the time around the Super Bowl into the nation's largest celebration of giving and serving. We believe:

• The idea for Souper Bowl of Caring is a gift from God
• Young people have the ability to serve and should be given opportunities to lead their communities in helping others
• Hunger and poverty have a negative impact on individuals and the communities in which they live, yet there is joy in serving and giving to those in need
• The excitement and energy surrounding the Super Bowl can be used to engage young people in service while producing lasting hope for all people

SBC Story: (1990) A simple prayer: "Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat" is inspiring a youth-led movement to help hungry and hurting people around the world. This prayer, delivered by Brad Smith, then a seminary intern serving at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, gave birth to an idea. Why not use Super Bowl weekend, a time when people come together for football and fun, to also unify the nation for a higher good: collecting dollars and canned food for the needy? Youth could collect donations at their schools and churches in soup pots, and then send every dollar DIRECTLY to a local charity of THEIR choice.

The senior high youth of Spring Valley Presbyterian liked the idea so much they decided to invite other area churches to join the team. Twenty-two Columbia churches participated that first year, reporting their results so a total could be determined, and then sending all $5,700 they had raised to area non-profits. Since then, ordinary young people have generated an extraordinary more than $100 million for soup kitchens, food banks and other charities in communities across the country. In addition, hundreds of thousands of youth have experienced for themselves the joy and satisfaction of giving and serving, inspiring people of all ages to follow their generous example.

Sacred Heart Involvement in SouperBowl of Caring AND MORE:

• (2001) Sacred Heart Catholic Church Youth Ministry gets involved in SouperBowl of Caring efforts bringing high school youth together in a SBC Service Blitz to make PBJ sandwiches for local area soup kitchens and making a variety of homemade soups to serve after Masses, collecting money in soup pots after Masses on Super Bowl Sunday, AND providing a SouperBowl Soup meal after all the weekend Masses with donations received going directly to Detroit-area agencies who work to fight hunger.

• (PRESENT) Sacred Heart Youth Ministry continues every year to participate in SouperBowl of Caring and now engages younger youth and families in the effort as well. Check out some pictures on the F.I.R.E. youth ministry page.
• Many additional service opportunities exist as well:  bagged lunches for Detroit Orthodox Cathedral, meal prep and condiment pack prep for Detroit Crossroads Soup Kitchen and more!  Contact our Youth Ministry office for details.